Not yet recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Effectiveness of Cingal™ for Improving Pain Scores and Function in Anterior Knee Pain

If you have ongoing knee pain at the front of your knee that hasn't gone away with typical treatments, this study might be for you. Researchers are testing a treatment called Cingal. Cingal is a special injection that contains two helpful ingredients: hyaluronic acid, which acts like a natural lubricant for your joint, and a steroid called triamcinolone hexacetonide, which can help reduce swelling and pain. The study is for people aged 18 to 35 who experience pain when doing activities like squatting or climbing stairs. The main goal is to see if Cingal can improve how much pain you feel and help you use your knee better. It's about finding better ways to manage this common type of knee pain.

At a glance

Status

Not yet recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Banff Sport Medicine Foundation

Enrolment target

Start

01 Apr 2026

Estimated completion

01 Nov 2026

Anterior Knee Pain Syndrome

What is this study about?

Many people experience pain at the front of their knee, especially during activities like squatting, running, or going up and down stairs. This is often called Anterior Knee Pain (AKP). It can be quite frustrating and can make everyday activities difficult. Doctors and researchers are always looking for better ways to help people manage this pain and improve how well their knees work.

This study is looking at a specific treatment called Cingal. Cingal is an injection into the knee that contains two ingredients. One is hyaluronic acid, which is a substance naturally found in healthy joints; it helps to lubricate the joint and allows things to move smoothly. The other ingredient is a steroid called triamcinolone hexacetonide, which is known to help reduce inflammation and pain in the short term. The idea is that together, these ingredients might provide relief and improve knee function.

Researchers want to find out how effective Cingal is for people between 18 and 35 years old who have tried other common treatments for their knee pain, like physiotherapy or pain relievers, but haven't seen enough improvement. By taking part, you could help doctors understand more about this treatment and potentially help others with similar knee pain in the future.

Key takeaways

Focuses on knee pain at the front of the knee (Anterior Knee Pain).
Tests an injection called Cingal, which contains a lubricant and a steroid.
For individuals aged 18-35 whose knee pain hasn't improved with usual care.
Aims to reduce pain and improve how the knee works.
Participation could help others with similar knee issues.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you need to be between 18 and 35 years old. Your knee pain must be at the front of your knee (around or behind your kneecap) and have lasted for at least two months. You also need to have tried common treatments like exercise, physiotherapy, or pain medications for at least six weeks, but your pain hasn't gotten much better. Your pain should also get worse when you do activities like squatting, running, climbing stairs, or sitting with your knees bent for a long time.

However, there are reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if X-rays show you have arthritis or a fracture in your knee, or if you've had a knee injury like a torn ligament or meniscus. You also can't take part if you've had knee surgery before, tend to have your kneecap dislocate, or have certain other medical conditions like diabetes or inflammatory illnesses. If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you've had a knee injection in the last three months, you also wouldn't be able to join this study. The research team will carefully check all these details to make sure the study is right for you.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you between 18 and 35 years old?
Do you have pain at the front of your knee that has lasted at least 2 months?
Has your knee pain not improved after trying physiotherapy or other treatments for at least 6 weeks?
Does your pain get worse when you squat, run, or climb stairs?
Have you NOT had knee surgery or a severe knee injury before?
Have you NOT had a knee injection in the last 3 months?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

The detailed steps of taking part aren't fully described here, but generally in similar studies, you would first have an initial screening visit to ensure you meet all the criteria. If you qualify, you would likely receive the Cingal injection in your knee at a clinic. After the injection, you would probably have several follow-up appointments over a period of time. These appointments would involve health checks and questions to find out how your pain is, how well you can move your knee, and discuss any side effects. You might be asked to fill out questionnaires or do simple physical tests. The total duration of your participation would depend on the study design, but generally, effectiveness studies involve monitoring you for several weeks or months after the treatment.

Potential risks and benefits

Potential benefits of taking part could include improved pain relief and better knee function if Cingal proves effective for you. You would also be contributing to medical knowledge that could help others with similar knee pain. Potential risks might include discomfort or bruising from the injection itself, or a very small chance of infection. There could also be side effects from the medication. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

Banff Sport Medicine
Verified postcode
Canmore, Canada

Common questions

What is Cingal?

Cingal is an injection for the knee that contains two ingredients: a lubricant (hyaluronic acid) and a steroid (triamcinolone hexacetonide) to help with pain and inflammation.

What is Anterior Knee Pain?

It's pain felt at the front of your knee, often around or behind your kneecap, especially when doing activities like squatting or climbing stairs.

Is this a new treatment?

While the ingredients are known, this study is specifically looking at how effective Cingal is for people with ongoing anterior knee pain who haven't improved with other treatments.

Will I get paid to participate?

The information provided does not say if participants will receive payment, but any approved study expenses would usually be covered. You can ask the study team about this.

What if my pain gets worse during the study?

If you experience any worsening pain or discomfort, you should immediately tell the study team so they can provide appropriate care and advise you on next steps.

How to find out more

Julie-Anne Fritz, PhD

bsmresearch@banffsportmed.ca 4037602897 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.